You would also need to fill out an application form if you wanted a postal vote.

What is an emergency proxy vote?

If you have a medical emergency after the proxy vote deadline has passed, which means you will be unable to vote in person, then you could apply for an emergency proxy vote.

The deadline for emergency proxy votes is 17:00 on 18 September 2014.

Who can vote on my behalf?

Anyone who is eligible to vote in the referendum can vote on your behalf as long as they are willing.

You cannot act as a proxy for more than two people - unless they are a close relative.

Do I need to vote?

No, like all elections in the United Kingdom, compulsory voting is not in place for this referendum. It is up to each individual to decide whether they wish to vote.

When do we find out the results?

Key dates and times

Register to vote by midnight 2 September, 2014

Register for a postal or proxy vote by 5pm on 3 September, 2014

The deadline for an emergency proxy is 5pm on 18 September, 2014

Make sure your postal vote arrives by 10pm on 18 September, 2014

Vote at polling places between 7am and 10pm on 18 September, 2014

Immediately after the polls close at 22:00 on 18 September 2014, the votes will be counted. However, a paper from Chief Counting Officer Mary Pitcaithly declared: "an estimate of a final result cannot be given with any confidence".

Counts will be taking place in 32 local authority areas and a number of factors could mean a longer wait than usual for the results.

Mary Pitcaithly wrote: "With the current processes and volumes of ballots, particularly postal votes, it is unlikely to be in the early hours as might have been the experience in previous elections. Turnout, volumes of postal votes and logistical factors dependent on the geography and climate must all come into the consideration."